Ultimate Fights Expand to Include Kids

The first rule of Garage Boys Fight Crew: Talk about Garage Boys Fight Crew. This bare-knuckle ultimate fighting club operating out of a garage in Carthage, Mo., is neither a secret organization like the one portrayed in the movie Fight Club, nor populated by blood-hungry men. Rather, it is youth-work gone wild: a new approach to recreational self-defense sports for children lauded by some parents as the new karate. The fighters, some as young as 6, train with protective gear, are prohibited from groin-kicking and other such moves, and are matched by weight class. Although the fights are refereed, medical experts and sports officials are concerned for the children’s safety. Missouri is the only state that explicitly allows youth fights. March 27, http://www.chicagotribune.com.